PUC suspends Black Hills community solar billing credits and sets matter for hearing

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission on Dec. 30 suspended Black Hills Colorado Electric’s proposed 2026 community solar garden (CSG) billing credits and set the matter for hearing after protests from the Colorado Solar and Storage Association and the Coalition for Community Solar Access.

Ron Davis of the commission’s advisory staff said Black Hills filed advice letter 899 proposing billing credits effective Jan. 1, 2026. Solar-sector parties filed a protest arguing four primary concerns: a reduction in 2026 billing credits compared with 2025, an unclear mechanism for a "negative" billing credit for large power service secondary customers, questions about whether the credits were calculated consistent with conclusions from the company’s recent base-rate proceeding (24AL275E), and the absence of fixed bill credits for prior vintages (2023–24).

Davis recommended the commission suspend the tariff sheets and set the matter for hearing, proposing an intervention and notice period through Jan. 30 and referral to an administrative law judge. He said the solar parties’ concerns, particularly the negative billing-credit mechanics and the interplay with the recent rate case, warranted additional discovery and scrutiny.

Commissioners agreed and directed staff to set the matter for hearing and suspend the tariff sheets, noting a desire to avoid unnecessary litigation but also to allow adequate review of the credits’ calculation and implementation.

The suspension preserves the status quo on billing-credit rates while parties pursue discovery and possible intervention in the scheduled hearing.